EP4173982B1

EP4173982B1 - Partition for locating and protecting bottles within a box

Info

Publication number: EP4173982B1
Application number: EP21206092.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacob Albert Mark van de Vegte; Karsten Strübing; Bernhard Klitsche
Original assignee: Smurfit Kappa Wellpappenwerk Waren GmbH; Smurfit Kappa Development Centre BV
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa Wellpappenwerk Waren GmbH; Smurfit Kappa Development Centre BV
Priority date: 2021-11-02
Filing date: 2021-11-02
Publication date: 2024-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-02
Also published as: WO2023078663A1; EP4173982C0; EP4173982A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a partition, formed of a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, for locating and protecting bottles within a box, and to a blank for forming said partition. One or more such partitions may be located in a box to separate and protect of items of the cylindrical bottle type arranged in the box for transportation, where the partition prevents the contact between the items and protects the items from damage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Separators or partitions are used inside of boxes or containers in order to generate separate cavities to isolate the objects contained in the box from each other, avoiding contact between them, especially when the objects are made of a fragile material such as glass. Glass bottles are particularly vulnerable to breakage when several bottles are packed within a box due to direct contact between them. Therefore it is known (see for example document EP2848546A2 ) to provide separators or partitions adapted to avoid contact between the bottles and to protect the bottles from impacts and scratches that can also damage labels, with the resulting loss of quality of the product.
Several solutions have been developed related to the use of sheets, cardboard plates or buffering materials arranged among bottles, where the main challenge is always to get an efficient separator capable of avoiding contact among bottles efficiently, but at the same time being cheap to produce and easy to install and providing sufficient impact protection for the individual bottles. Furthermore, known separators or partitions, while relatively effective at separating individual bottles from contact with one another, do little to protect the bottles from external impacts, instead relying entirely on the strength of the outer box within which the separator or partition is inserted.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved partition for locating and protecting bottles within a box of low cost, easy to install and which form optimises the separation and protection of the bottles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A partition for locating and protecting bottles within a box, said partition comprising a foldable unitary blank comprising a rectangular or square base panel, first and second side panels connected to opposite side edges of the base panel by respective first fold lines; first and second front panels connected to respective side panels by respective second fold lines extending parallel to and spaced from said first fold lines; a first link panel connected to a bottom edge of the base panel by a third fold line perpendicular to said first fold lines and having a width approximately one third of the width of said bottom edge of the base panel and being located centrally with respect to said bottom edge of the base panel; a third front panel connected to a second edge of the first link panel by a fourth fold line opposite and parallel to said third fold line; a second link panel connected to a bottom edge of the first side panel by a fifth fold line and a third link panel connected to a bottom edge of the second side panel by a sixth fold line, said third, fifth and sixth fold lines being aligned along a common axis; a third side panel connected to a bottom edge of the second link panel by a seventh fold line and a fourth side panel connected to a bottom edge of the third link panel by an eighth fold line, said seventh, eighth and fourth fold lines being aligned along a common axis; a fourth link panel extending between said third side panel and said third front panel and being separated therefrom by respective fold lines; a fifth link panel extending between said fourth side panel and said third front panel and being separated therefrom by respective fold lines; wherein, in use, said first, second and third link panels are folded about respective third, fifth and sixth fold lines to extend perpendicular to said base panel; said third front panel, third side panel and fourth side panel are folded about said fourth, seventh and eighth fold lines respectively such that said third front panel lies parallel to and spaced from said base panel, said third side panel lies parallel to and spaced from said first side panel and said fourth side panel lies parallel to and spaced from said second side panel; said first and second front panels being folded about respective second fold lines to lie perpendicular to said first and second side panels; said first and second side panels being subsequently folded with respect to the base panel about respective first fold lines, the fourth and fifth link panels at the same time folding with respect to the third front panel and third and fourth side panels about respective fold lines such that the fourth and fifth link panels lie against respective third and fourth side panels and extend perpendicular to the base panel such that said partition defines three parallel cavities for receiving respective bottles therein.
Preferably first and second further panels extend respectively from outer side edges of said third and fourth side panels via respective ninth and tenth fold lines, said first and second further panels being adapted to overly at least a portion of said first and second front panels when said blank is folded to form said partition.
A first portion of the first further panel may be separated from the third side panel via a first cut line extending from said ninth fold line; a first portion of the second further panel being separated from the fourth side panel via a second cut line extending from said tenth fold line; wherein said first portion of the first further panel and said first portion of the second further panel respectively overlay the first front panel when said blank is folded to form said partition.
Respective side edges of said third front panel may incorporate cut outs adapted to receive tabs integrally formed with and extending from outer side edges of said first and second front panels when said blank is folded to form said partition, said cooperating tabs and cut outs locking said first, second and third front panels together. Each of said tabs may include an outer edge and converging side walls extending inwardly from said outer edge, each cut out having a corresponding shape to thereby retain said tabs in said respective cut outs when located therein.
The first, second and third link panels may respectively define a bottom wall of each cavity when said blank is folded to define said partition.
A first flap may extend from a top edge of said base panel about an eleventh fold line extending parallel to said third fold line, wherein said flap defines a closure adapted to close the upper ends of said cavities when said blank is folded to define said partition and said flap is folded about said eleventh fold line.
A second flap may extend from a bottom edge of said first front panel about a twelfth fold line, a third flap extending from a bottom edge of said second front panel about a thirteenth fold line; said second flap being adapted to lie against said second link panel and said third flap being adapted to lie against said third link panel to define respective parts of a bottom wall of a respective cavity when said blank is folded to form said partition.
The fourth and fifth link panels may have a length less than that of the third front panel. Bottom edges of said third and fourth side panels, said fourth and fifth link panels and said third front panel may be aligned with one another.
Respective fold lines between said third side panel and said fourth link panel and said fourth side panel and said fifth link panel may comprise double fold lines arranged parallel to and alongside one another to facilitate folding of the blank into the partition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A partition and a blank for forming the partition in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a blank for forming a partition in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 2 to 7 illustrate the folding of the blank of Figure 1 to form the partition;
Figure 8 illustrates the partition formed from the blank of Figure 1 in use;
Figure 9 illustrates a box containing bottles located in a plurality of said partitions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As illustrated in Figure 1, a blank for forming a partition, formed of a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, for locating and protecting bottles within a box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a rectangular or square base panel 2, first and second side panels 4,6 connected to opposite side edges of the base panel 2 by respective first fold lines 8,10. First and second front panels 12,14 are connected to respective side panels 4,6 by respective second fold lines 16,18 extending parallel to and spaced from the first fold lines 8,10.
A first link panel 20 is connected to a bottom edge of the base panel 2 by a third fold line 22 extending perpendicular to the first fold lines 8,10. The first link panel 20 has a width approximately one third of the width of the bottom edge of the base panel 2 and is located centrally with respect to the base panel 2.
A third front panel 24 is connected to a second edge of the first link panel 20 by a fourth fold line 26 extending opposite and parallel to the third fold line 22.
A second link panel 28 is connected to a bottom edge of the first side panel 4 by a fifth fold line 30 and a third link panel 32 is connected to a bottom edge of the second side panel 6 by a sixth fold line 34. The third 22, fifth 30 and sixth 34 fold lines are aligned along a common axis aligned with the bottom edge of the base panel 2.
A third side panel 36 is connected to a bottom edge of the second link panel 28 by a seventh fold line 38 and a fourth side panel 40 is connected to a bottom edge of the third link panel 32 by an eighth fold line 42. The seventh 38, eighth 42 and fourth 26 fold lines are aligned along a common axis.
A fourth link panel 44 extends between the third side panel 36 and the third front panel 24, separated therefrom by respective fold lines on either side of the fourth link panel 44. A fifth link panel 46 extends between the fourth side panel 40 and the third front panel 24, separated therefrom by respective fold lines. In the embodiment shown the fourth and fifth link panels 44,46 have a length less than that of the third front panel 24 and the bottom edges of the third and fourth side panels 36,40, fourth and fifth link panels 44,46 and the third front panel 24 are aligned with one another to define a bottom edge of the blank.
First and second further panels 48,50 are provided, extending respectively from outer side edges of the third and fourth side panels 36,40 via respective ninth and tenth fold lines 52,54. The first and second further panels 48,50 are adapted to overly at least a portion of the first and second front panels 12,14 to provide additional thickness and protection when the blank is folded to form the partition.
As shown in Figure 1, a first portion 56 of the first further panel 48 is defined by part of the third side panel 36 and is separated therefrom via a first cut line 60 extending from the ninth fold line 52. Similarly a first portion 58 of the second further panel 50 is defined by part of the fourth side panel 40 and is separated therefrom via a second cut line 62 extending from the tenth fold line 54. The first portion 56 of the first further panel 48 and said first portion 58 of the second further panel 50 respectively overlay regions of the third front panel 24 when said blank is folded to form the partition.
Respective side edges of the third front panel 24 incorporate cut outs 64,66 adapted to receive tabs 68,70 integrally formed with and extending from outer side edges of the first and second front panels 12,14 when the blank is folded to form the partition, the cooperating tabs 68,70 and cut outs 64,66 locking said first, second and third front panels 12,14,24 together. Each of the tabs 68,70 includes an outer edge and converging side walls extending inwardly from said outer edge, each cut out 64,66 having a corresponding shape to thereby retain the tabs 68,70 in said respective cut outs 64,66 when located therein.
A first closure flap 72 extends from a top edge of the base panel 2 about an eleventh fold line 74 extending parallel to the third fold line 22 and bottom edge of the base panel 2, wherein, when the blank is folded to form the partition, such flap 72 defines a closure adapted to close the upper ends of the bottle receiving cavities defined within the partition.
A second flap 76 extends from a bottom edge of the first front panel 12 about a twelfth fold line 78, a third flap 80 extending from a bottom edge of the second front panel 14 about a thirteenth fold line 82, the second flap 76 being adapted to lie against the second link panel 28 and the third flap 80 being adapted to lie against the third link panel 32 to define respective parts of a bottom wall of a respective cavity when the blank is folded to form the partition.
As illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, in order to fold the blank into a partition for locating and protecting bottles within a box, the first and second front panels 12,14 are folded about the respective second fold lines 16,18 to extend perpendicular to the base panel 2 and the second and third flaps 76,80 are folded about the twelve and thirteenth fold lines 78,82 to extend perpendicular to the first and second front panels 12,14, as shown in Figure 2.
The first, second and third link panels 20,28,32 are folded about respective third, fifth and sixth fold lines 22,30,34, as shown in Figure 3, such that the first, second and third link panels 20,28,32 and the third and fourth side panels 36,40, third front panel 24 and the fourth and fifth link panels 44,46, all lying in a common plane, extend perpendicular to the base panel 3.
Next the third front panel 24, third side panel 36, and fourth side panel 40 are folded about said fourth, seventh and eighth fold lines 26,38,42 respectively such that the third front panel 24 lies parallel to and spaced from the base panel 2, the third side panel 36 lies parallel to and spaced from the first side panel 4, and the fourth side panel 40 lies parallel to and spaced from said second side panel 6, as shown in Figure 4, with the first and second further panels 48,50 extending outwardly from the third and fourth side panels 36,42.
Next the first and second side panels 4,6 are folded with respect to the base panel 2 about respective first fold lines 8,10, the fourth and fifth link panels 44,46 at the same time folding with respect to the third front panel 24 and the third and fourth side panels 36,40 about respective fold lines such that the fourth and fifth link panels 44,46 lie against respective third and fourth side panels 36,50 and extend perpendicular to the base panel 2 such that said partition defines three parallel cavities for receiving respective bottles therein. At the same time the first and second further panels 48,50 fold about the ninth and tenth fold lines 52,54 respectively, such that the main body of the first further panel 48 overlies a lower portion of first front panel 12 and the main body of the second further panel 50 overlies a lower portion of second front panel 12, the portions 56,58 of the further panels 48,50 formed from parts of the third and fourth side panels 36,40 overlaying the third front panel 24. At the same time, the tabs 68,70 enter the cut outs 64,66, locking the partition into its assembled configuration, without requiring the use of glue, tape or other fastening means.
As illustrated in Figure 6, the partition, in its assembled configuration, defines three parallel open topped cavities of chambers for receiving respective bottles therein. Once bottles have been inserted into the cavities, the closure flap 72 may be folded over to close the cavities, as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 8 illustrates the use of the cavities within a box 84 in the form of rectangular cuboid box, wherein four of the partitions A,B,C,D are located within the box 84 in side by side relationship so that the box 84 can be loaded with twelve bottles 86. The number of partitions inserted will depend upon the size of the box used.
The present invention provides a partition for locating and protecting bottles within a box, said partition comprising a foldable unitary blank comprising an arrangement of panels separated by fold lines and adapted to be folded to form a partition having three parallel cavities for receiving respective bottles therein and protecting the bottles on all sides, the panels being arranged to define double wall portions bounding said cavities to provide effective protection to glass bottles when inserted into the cavities of a plurality of said partitions inserted into a box. : The partition adds protection where and when it is needed when several of the partitions are grouped in an outer box.
The partition provides a double layer of board at critical locations, especially when arranged in the outer box. As well as protecting bottles from impacting against each other, the partition also ensures protection from external impacts, the partition and outer box providing a double layer of protection around the bottles.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

A partition for locating and protecting bottles within a box, said partition comprising a foldable unitary blank comprising a rectangular or square base panel (2), first and second side panels (4,6) connected to opposite side edges of the base panel (2) by respective first fold lines (8,10); first and second front panels (12,14) connected to respective first and second side panels (4,6) by respective second fold lines (16,18) extending parallel to and spaced from said first fold lines (8,10); a first link panel (20) connected to a bottom edge of the base panel (2) by a third fold line (22) extending perpendicular to said first fold lines (8,10), said first link panel (20) having a width approximately one third of the width of the base panel (2) and being located centrally with respect to the bottom edge of the base panel (2); a third front panel (24) connected to a second edge of the first link panel (20) by a fourth fold line (26) opposite and parallel to said third fold line (22); a second link panel (28) connected to a bottom edge of the first side panel (4) by a fifth fold line (30) and a third link panel (32) connected to a bottom edge of the second side panel (6) by a sixth fold line (34), said third, fifth and sixth fold lines (22,30,34) being aligned along a common axis; a third side panel (36) connected to a bottom edge of the second link panel (28) by a seventh fold line (38) and a fourth side panel (40) connected to a bottom edge of the third link panel (32) by an eighth fold line (42), said fourth, seventh and eighth fold lines (26,38,42) being aligned along a common axis; a fourth link panel (44) extending between said third side panel (36) and said third front panel (24) and being separated therefrom by respective fold lines; a fifth link panel (46) extending between said fourth side panel (40) and said third front panel (24) and being separated therefrom by respective fold lines; wherein, in use, said first, second and third link panels (20,28,32) are folded about respective third, fifth and sixth fold lines (22,30,34) to extend perpendicular to said base panel (2); said third front panel (24), third side panel (36) and fourth side panel (40) are folded about said fourth, seventh and eighth fold lines (26,38,42) respectively such that said third front panel (24) lies parallel to and spaced from said base panel (2), said third side panel (36) extending parallel to and spaced from said first side panel (4) and said fourth side panel (40) extending parallel to and spaced from said second side panel (6); said first and second front panels (12,14) being folded about respective second fold lines (16,18) to lie perpendicular to said first and second side panels (4,6); said first and second side panels (4,6) being subsequently folded with respect to the base panel (2) about respective first fold lines (8,10), the fourth and fifth link panels (44,46) at the same time folding with respect to the third front panel (24) and third and fourth side panels (36,40) folding about respective fold lines such that the fourth and fifth link panels (44,46) lie against respective third and fourth side panels (36,40) and extend perpendicular to the base panel (2) whereby the folded blank defines a partition having three parallel cavities for receiving respective bottles therein.
A partition as claimed in claim 1, wherein first and second further panels (48,50) extend respectively from outer side edges of said third and fourth side panels (36,40) via respective ninth and tenth fold lines (52,54), said first and second further panels (48,50) being adapted to overly at least a portion of said first and second front panels (12,14) when said blank is folded to form said partition.
A partition as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first portion (56) of the first further panel (48) is separated from the third side panel (36) via a first cut line (60) extending from said ninth fold line (52); a first portion (58) of the second further panel (50) being separated from the fourth side panel (40) via a second cut line (62) extending from said tenth fold line (54); wherein said first portion (56) of the first further panel (48) and said first portion (58) of the second further panel (50) respectively overlay the third front panel (24) when said blank is folded to form said partition.
A partition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein respective side edges of said third front panel (24) incorporate cut outs (64,66) adapted to receive tabs (68,70) integrally formed with and extending from outer side edges of said first and second front panels (12,14) when said blank is folded to form said partition, said cooperating tabs (68,70) and cut outs (64,66) locking said first, second and third front panels together.
A partition as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said tabs (68,70) includes an outer edge and converging side walls extending inwardly from said outer edge, each cut out (64,66) having a corresponding shape to thereby retain said tabs in said respective cut outs when located therein.
A partition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first, second and third link panels (20,28,32) respectively define a bottom wall of each cavity when said blank is folded to define said partition.
A partition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a first flap (72) extends from a top edge of said base panel (2) about an eleventh fold line (74) extending parallel to said third fold line (22), wherein said first flap (72) defines a closure adapted to close the upper ends of said cavities when said blank is folded to define said partition and said first flap (72) is folded about said eleventh fold line (74).
A partition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a second flap (76) extends from a bottom edge of said first front panel (12) about a twelfth fold line (78), a third flap (80) extending from a bottom edge of said second front panel (14) about a thirteenth fold line (82); said second flap (76) being adapted to lie against said second link panel (28) and said third flap (80) being adapted to lie against said third link panel (32) to define respective parts of a bottom wall of a respective cavity when said blank is folded to form said partition.
A partition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said fourth and fifth link panels (44,46) have a length less than that of the third front panel (24).
A partition as claimed in claim 9, wherein bottom edges of said third and fourth side panels (36,40) said fourth and fifth link panels (44,46) and said third front panel (24) are aligned with one another.
A partition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein respective fold lines between said third side panel (36) and said fourth link panel (44) and between said fourth side panel (40) and said fifth link panel (46) comprise double fold lines arranged parallel to and alongside one another.
A blank for forming a partition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11.
A blank as claimed in claim 12, comprising a unitary sheet of foldable paperboard.
A box for carrying bottles comprising a rectangular cuboid enclosure (84) within which is located a plurality of partitions arranged side by side, each partition being in accordance with any of claims 1 to 11.